Fountain



July 15, 1969 J. BALKIN 3,455,509

FOUNTAIN Filed July 26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MA. M

July 15, 396% J. BALKIN 3,455,50

FOUNTAIN Filed July 26. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .72 m2. fid/k /'/7 MA. A'M 1770/? may United States Patent 3,455,509 FOUNTAIN Jack Balkin, 10035 Shoshone Ave., Northridge, Calif. 91324 Filed July 26, 1967, Ser. No. 656,140 Int. Cl. Bc 5/02; F21p 7/00 US. Cl. 23918 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The improved fountain of the invention is constructed to create the impression of delicate, silently-falling, droplets of fluid. The motion is continuous. The paths of the droplets can be arranged in a cylindrical cage-like configuration, so as to enclose a central object. Alternately, the paths of the droplets can be arranged in a uniplanar relationship, so that the unit may be used, for example, as a room divider, or the like.

The fountain to be described includes a plurality of taut cords (composed, for example, of nylon). These cords extend vertically in a spaced and parallel relationship between the top and the bottom of the unit. As mentioned, the cords can be disposed to circumscribe a cylindrical shape in a cage-like configuration. Alternately, the cords can be disposed, as noted, in a uniplanar relationship, or in any other desired configuration.

By a continuous pumping action, to be described, a clear, transparent oil, or other suitable viscous fluid, is circulated to a first manifold at the top of the unit from which a number of capillary tubes or passages extend. The cords are connected to the edges of, or immediately under, respective troughs which are positioned at the end of each capillary tube. The selected fluid has a surface tension and wettability such that it forms itself into droplets, as it flows over the edge of each trough and runs down the cords. This creates a silent, soothing, fascinating, rhythmic effect on the observer.

The pump itself may be any suitable type, and it may be actuated by the usual 110 volt alternating current receptacle. The entire unit is trouble free, and it requires a minimum of maintenance.

The fountain of the invention can be constructed in any desired size or shape, as noted above. It may be'used in the home, lobby, hall, restaurant, or the like, so as to create atmosphere and decor in the establishment.

Moreover, the fountain of the invention may be used commercially, as an advertising display, with the paths of the droplets surrounding the products being advertised, or forming a foreground or backdrop for the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view showing a unit embodying the invention, and constituting one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the unit of FIGURE 1, substantially on the line 22, and looking down toward the bottom of the unit, showing the lower manifold;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view, substantially on the lines 3-3, and looking up at the underside of the top of the unit, showing the upper manifold and radial capillary tubes of the unit;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the 3,455,509 Patented July 15, 1 969 unit on an enlarged scale with respect to FIGURES 1-3, and showing various operating components of the unit;

FIGURE 5 is, likewise, a fragmentary side sectional view of the unit, showing, likewise, on an enlarged scale with respect to FIGURES 1-3, other operating components of the unit;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged section showing the trough at the end of the capillary tube of the upper manifold;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective of a presently preferred embodiment of the unit;

FIGURE 8 is a partial perspective of the embodiment of FIGURE 7 showing how the cords are supported in the unit; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary elevation View of the embodiment of FIGURE 7 also showing how the cords are supported.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION At the outset, it should be reiterated that the representation of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing represents but one embodiment. It will be better comprehended, as the description proceeds, that the fountain unit of the invention may take on any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes, without departing from the concept of the invention.

In the unit shown in the drawing, a base member 10 is provided together with a top member 12. The base member and top member are separated from one another by means of a plurality of upright tubular support members, such as the members 14 and 16. The vertical tubular support members 14 and 16 are attached to the base 10 and to the top 12 in any appropriate manner.

A manifold 18 is supported in the top member 12. The manifold 18 has a plurality of radial capillary tubes 19 extending therefrom (FIGURE 3). A slanted trough 20 is formed integral with each of the tubes 19 and is located at the end thereof, as best shown in FIGURES 4 and 6.

A tank 26 is supported on the base member 10 directly under the top member 12. The tank 26 forms a sump or lower manifold for the fluid circulated through the unit as will be described. A cylindrical shaped shield 28 is also mounted on the base member 10, the shield 28 surrounding and screening the tank 26 so as to enhance the decorative aspects of the assembly.

An annular ring 30 is mounted on the bottom of the tank 26, and it extends around the periphery ofthe tank. The ring 30 has a plurality of tapped holes, or punched slots, formed in it, these being respectively aligned with the edges of the troughs 20 at the ends of the capillary tubes 19 at the upper end of the unit.

A plurality of eye brackets 32, or slots, are mounted or formed in the ring 30. A plurality of cord-like members 40 extend from the ends of the respective capillary tubes 19 across the edges of the corresponding troughs 20 (FIG- URE 6), and down to the corresponding eye brackets 32. These cords, in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, are vertical, and are spaced and parallel to one another, so as to define a cylindrical cage-like unit.

Each of the cord-like members 40 may be composed, for example, of nylon. These cords, in each instance, are looped through an integral bracket 41 on the corresponding capillary tube 19 and through the corresponding eye bracket 32 in the ring 30 in the lower manifold. The cords 40 are knotted, as shown, so that each one extends in a taut condition between the end of a tube 19 at the top 12 and a corresponding eye bracket 32 in the tank 26 at the bottom 10.

A pump 50 is mounted, for example, in the base 10. The inlet of the pump is coupled to the interior of the sump tank 26. A tubular member 52 composed, for example, of plastic, couples the outlet of the pump to the tubular member 14. The tubular member 14 serves an additional function of returning the fluid pumped by the pump 50 to the manifold 18 in the top member 12. The latter connection is made, for example, through tubular member 53 (FIGURE 4) to a fitting 54 on the manifold 18.

Electric energizing leads 56 for the pump motor may be brought down through the tubular member 16. These leads may also be used to energize an electric lamp 58, the lamp forming part of a display 60 suspended within the confines of the cord-like members 40 from the top 12.

A liquid, with an appropriate viscosity and surface tension may be placed in the tank 26 of the lower manifold. The liquid, for example, may be transparent liydraulic or transformer oil. The apparatus described above serves to distribute and regulate small quantities of the viscous liquid to various locations by the capillary and surface tension principle.

The apparatus, as described, includes the upper manifold 18 to which a number of capillary tubes or passages 14 are connected. The capillary tubes, in the illustrated embodiment, extend radially outwardly from the manifold. The flow area and length of the individual capillary tubes 19 are selected so that a desired flow rate can be maintained in each passage with a substantial pressure head being established in the enclosed manifold 18 by the pump 50.

The use of relatively long capillary tubes 19 with respect to the diameter of the manifold 18 offers a high laminar flow resistance to the liquid and creates sufiiciently high back pressure so that variations in the static levels of the flow discharge points will not appreciably affect the flow rates.

The metered flow of the viscous liquid through each of the capillary passages 19 discharges into a corresponding trough 20. The trough is sloped slightly (FIGURE 6), so that the liquid can gradually creep to the outer edge of the trough.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the liquid will adhere to the bottom surface of the trough 20 by the surface tension of the liquid, and this holds the liquid in the form of a drop until the drop reaches a sufl'icient size that the gravity force exceeds the surface tension force and causes the drop to fall away from the bottom surface of the trough.

As the drop grows in size, it touches and clings to the adjacent cord 40. When the drop becomes large enough to break away from the bottom surface of the trough 20, it runs down along the cord by the clinging action of the surface tension of the liquid. Because of the intermittent drop formation, it creates an impressive array of liquid globules falling down each of the cords.

In design, it is therefore necessary to place each cord no further away from the corresponding trough than the size of the liquid drop. In order to create the maximum liquid globulation effect, liquids of high surface tension and high wettability are preferred.

An additional purpose for the individual troughs is to form the liquid into globules immediately upon contact of the liquid with the corresponding cord. Without the surface tension effect of the troughs, the liquid will not form into globules until it has fallen a certain distance along the cord so as to achieve a sufficiently high velocity to become a globule, as is the practice in the prior art type of apparatus. This creates undesirable irregularities in the size and flow of the globules in the prior art type of apparatus.

As mentioned above, the actual unit of the invention may take on a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and it may be used in conjunction with a wide variety of lamps, lanterns, lighting and other fixtures. The actual concept embodied by the apparatus of the invention is that of providing a distribution system whereby in continuously moving series of globules or droplets move along a plurality of separate paths, so as to provide a display for the purposes described above.

In the representation shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, only those portions of the modified embodiment different from those described above are shown. As mentioned above, the embodiment of FIGURES 7-9 is presently preferred, mainly because of the ease with which the units incorporating its concepts can be fabricated.

In the latter embodiment, the manifold 18a is formed of a pair of plates 70' and 75 which are Welded, or otherwise joined together, in facing and mutual engaging relationship. The plate 70 is configured to define the radial capillary tubes 19a. The outer edge of the plate 75 (which extends radially beyond the outer edge of the plate 70) is formed with a plurality of radial slots; and corresponding configured segments 20a extend between the slots, as shown, to constitute the troughs of the unit.

The lower plate of the previous embodiment is replaced in the embodiment of FIGURES 7-9 with a disc 80. The disc has radial slots at its periphery which form a plurality of segments appropriate for supporting the cord 4011.

In the latter embodiment, the cords 40a are formed by threading a continuous cord between the troughs 20a in the upper plate 75 and the segments 80a in the lower disc 80. The fluid is introduced into the manifold 18a through a fitting 54a, and the action of the latter embodiment proceeds in a manner similar to that described above in conjunction with the previous embodiment.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the following claims to cover all modifications which come within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An ornamental unit including: a base member; a top member defining a closed manifold and a plurality of capillary passages extending outwardly from said manifold in a generally horizontal plane; support bracket means extending between said base member and said top member for vertically separating said top member from said base member and for supporting said top member over said base member as a unitary assembly; a plurality of cord-like members extending essentially vertically between the ends of respective ones of said capillary passages in said top member and said base member; and means for introducing a viscous fluid of a particular surface tension under pressure to said manifold means to establish a pressure head in said manifold means so as to cause the viscous fluid to be distributed through said capillary passages and to run down said cord-like members as an array of liquid globules.

2. The unit defined in claim 1, and which includes a tank supported on said base member for receiving said fluid :from said cord-like members; tubular return means extending upwardly from said tank to said manifold; and a pump coupled to said tubular return means for circulating the fluid from said tank to said manifold so as to establish said pressure head in said manifold.

3. The unit defined in claim 1, in which said top member comprises a pair of disc-like plates attached to one another in mutual engaging coaxial relationship, to form said manifold and said capillary passages.

4. The unit defined in claim 1, in which said base member includes a disc having radial slots at the periphery thereof for receiving said cord-like members.

5. The unit defined in claim 1, and in which said top member defines a plurality of troughs positioned at the ends of respective ones of said capillary passages, and in which each of said cord-like members is positioned in the vicinity of corresponding ones of said troughs.

6. The unit defined in claim 5, in which said troughs are formed integral with said top member.

7. The unit defined in claim 1, in which said top member and said base member each has a circular configuration, and in which said cord-like members extend vertically between said top member and said base member and are spaced and parallel to one another so as to provide a cylindrical shape to the unit.

8. The unit defined in claim 7, in which said top member and said base member each has radial slots around the peripheral edges thereof, and in which said cord-like members are formed as a continuous cord threaded through the aforesaid slots.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1912 Arndt 23917 10/1950 Dowsing 23917 3/1965 Chatten 2392O FOREIGN PATENTS 1/ 1955 Italy.

US. Cl. X.R. 

